Gyrocompass transmitter



Nov. 6,1928. 1,690,545

C. B. MILLS GYROCOMPASS TRANSMITTER Filed OCT.. 9. 1922 45! nvantoz I 7AgtETEREZ/V/Li f @eter-ated `Nov.` 6, 1928.

`UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHESTER B. MILLS, OF BROOKLYN, NEW-YORK, ASSIGNOR TO THE SPERRYGYROSCO'PE COMPANY, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION F NEW YORK.

GYRGCOMPASS TRANSMITTER.

Application filed October 9,1922. Serial No. 593,216.

My invention relates to transmitters and has for its object the,provisionl of an improved device of this character.v `More spe@ciiically, my' invention has reference to an improved transmitter forgyro-'compassesin which means are provided to permit, freely theconstant hunting action of the compass card without actuating thetransmitter, and

up device is to relieve the sensitive element.

of thenecessity of doing worlr during its apparent arc-in-azimuthmovements. The cause that gives most trouble in this regard isfrictionabout the vertical axis. To eliminate this trouble, means are providedtoV prevent the follow-up device from coming to a condition of completerest. 1 Preferably, the entire follow-up system is caused to oscil latethrough a' small arc, thereby causing the compass card tooscillatethrough about one degree, which movement is generallyV designated as thehunting action of the compass card. A more detailed description of thefollow-up system described may be hadvby referring to PatentlOOQO, ofElmer A. Sperry, issued April 15, 1919. In carrying out my invention, Iprovide means between my contact making mechanism and the ycon-` nectionof my transmitter with the follow up device,l whereby` there is a lostmotion equal to the huntinginotion of the followup device. As to thisfeature, this application is a continuation in part of .my o o-"pendingapplication for direct current gyrocompasses, serial .gt-452,505, filedMarch 15, 1921,

. showing this idea as applied to a gyroscopie compass. @ther novelfeatures of my invention reside in the i construction and ar# rangementof parts. f

My invention willV `be better understood from the following descriptiontaken in connection with the accompanying drawings, and its scope willbe pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings, illustrating what I Vnow consider a preferred form ofmy invention,

Fig. 1 is a vertical section of a transmitter embodying my invention,taken on approximately line 1-'1 of Fig. 2 looking in the direction ofthe arrows.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of Fig. 1 as seen from its bottom side.

Fig. 3 is a detail taken onV the line 3 3 of Fig. l, illustrating thedriving element in one position in `full lines and in another positionin dash lines.

Fig. 4 is an end view ofthe driving elenient,A and,

Fig. 5 is a Wiring diagram of my transmitter shown connected to arepeater motor.

Referringnow to the drawings the numeral 1 indicates the frame forsupporting` the several elements comprising my improved transmitter.This frame may be a unitary casting formed with'an upright wall 2,vhaving suitable openings 3 therein for bolting or otherwise suitablysecuring the transmitter to a gyro-compass, or other actuatingapparatus.V rIlhe base l of the frame is formed with a ring 5, havingV aspider A6 sujaortin' a cu -shaped element 7 concen tb a tric 'with saidring. On its upper surface and near its edge, the base 4 is providedwith .an upwardly extending member 8, which has a central bore to form aseat for oil pads 9, and is suitably counterbored to accommodate ballbearings 10, yfor a shaft 11. The opposite end of 'said shaft isvjournaled in ball bearings 12, located in an opening 13 of an arm 14:formed on the wall 2. fAn oil pad 15,*located`within the opening, 13,'adjacent the bearings 12, is held in position by a washer 1 6. Oil pads9 and 15 are, provided to lubricate the bearings 10 and 12 in a mannerreadily understood. Fixed on the shaft 11 are two gears 17 and 18.v`When my transmitter is secured in operative position on a gyro compass,the gear 17 is in mesh with a gear carried by the follow-up device of agyra-compass,V that is, theV followup device actuates my transmitterthrough gear 17. i

The gear 18 meshes with a gear 19 formed onacylindrical member 2 0,which is journaled at its upper end in ball `bearfuigsiQl, located'in asuitable bore on a' member 22. Thefmember 22 is supported by a flange 23forlnedon the `1nember 14, and by a 1nember 24 formed on the basediametrically opposite the member 14, and may be secured to the members14 and 241 by screws 25 and 26 respectively, as shown in Fig. 1. Belowthe gear 19,the cylindrical member 2O carries" a driving element r,which, as

representing one of their diagonals coincident 'with the center line onwhich said blocks and shaft 28 are located. li rom the foregoing, itwilltbe observed that the driving element 25. may be driven throughgears' 17, 18 and 19, in either direction, until the stops 29 and 30 areengagedwithout imparting rotation to the shaft 28. Therefore A'motiontransmitted to Gear 17 b the C D hunting action of the gyro compass willnotimpart rotation to thefshaft 28, it being understood, of course, thatthe gear ratio,

and the limit of motion ofthe elem nt 25 between'the stops 29 'and 30are designed to permit a movement equal to that of the hunting action.By this arrangement, the elementk25 may be oscillated about the shaft 28between the position shown in full lines in Fig. 3, andthe positionindicated `iii dash lines, `indicated at 25. Any movement additioiial tothe hunting action transmitted .by the follow-up device to-the gear-17will impart a corresponding rotation to the shaft 28. In order'to absorbthe shocks between the yelement 25 and stops 29 and 80, l preferablyform thev four corners of saidelement with a suitable cushioningmaterial, such las leather.

As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the ends of said element may be slottedandjastripof'leather 31 inserted in theslots, and held in positionby a`pin 32, and overlapping the'ends ofthe slotted portion as indicated j"Theshaft 28 near its lower end is journaled in 'ball bearings 34,located on the member 7, and at its upper end in ballr bear- Ox J ingslocated on'thelmemher`22, as shown in Fig 1. e The bearings 21, 26', 34and 35 are provided with'lubricating Vpads 36, 3 7,

68 and 89, respectively, "similar t0, Pads :9

and l5 previously described.

The shaft 2 8 :extends through an opening 40,1n thecup shaped element 7,and on .its

Y projecting portion carries the movable elements ofthe Contactmechanism, to which lfurther reference will be made hereinafter.

`The iiXedelement-s ofthe contact mechanism are inthe form of twolparallel rings,

iviththe shaft 28 as a center,'coimected to the` respective mains, theconnections between the vrings being controlled by the movable elementscarried on said shaft. VAs,

- of which twelve shown in Figs. l and 5, the upper ring 4l, isacontiiiuoiis copper ring, having a ter,- minal post 42, connected tothe main 43, of a suitable source of current 44.` rlhelower ring, bestillustrated in'Figs.Y 2 and 5, consists of -a plurality7 of spacedsegments 45,

are shown. ring 4l and the segments 45 forming the lower ring aresecured to the ring portion 5 of the frameV 1, by a plurality ofscrewbolts 46, which are surrounded by suitable insulating sleeves 47.The ring contact 4l and contact segments are insulated from eachy otherand other parts of the apparatus by suitable insulating washers48, asshown in Fig.` 1. Preferably tvo bolts 46 are employed for each segment45. transmitter illustrated is employed with a 6 pole repeater motor 49,as shown in Fig. 5, three terminal posts 50, 5l and (5,2 are providedandV electrically connected to the oles' A B and C resoectivel ofthemot-or i l y 49. The poles A', B, and C are connected to the main 50of the source 44. Since there are three terminals 50, 51 and 52, andtwelve segments 45, four segments are connected .The upper f Since the'y to each post, that is, every yfourth segment. e

As shown in Fig. 5, segments 50, 50", 50C, and 50, are connected toterminal 50; 51a,

51h, 51e, and 51d to terminal 51;"and 52,`

5213.52C and 52d toy terminal 52.

The movable elements off the i contact mechanism are carried by a frame71 formed with members and '54.. The member 53ay is bent'npwardly ateach end to form L shaped members 55 and 56 and at its lower end isformed with ears 57 and 58. Axles 59 and 6() are supported by member55and ear 57, and by memberA 56 andear 58Y respectively,.as shown in Fig.l; The Amember 54 is bent upwardly on each side to reinforce the Lshaped members v55 and'56 respectively. Pivotally mounted'onthe aXle 60arc carriages 6l and 62. "The carriage 6ly has ra sliding contact block63 and the carriage /62 has a roller contact 64.` The axle59 has similarcarriages 65 Vand, 66`having similar contacts 67 and 68,]res`pectivcly.rEhe contacts v63 and 64, and 67 and'68 are electrically'connectedconductors 69 and 70 respectively; flheends`A of the carriages 6l and 65are connected by a spring`72, and

ca `riage 62 and 66 are similarly connectedy by a spring 73. A. smalldisc`74 is fixed on the shaft 24S-land has an opening' The li'i'iemberF3 is provided with a pin 76 to en` gage said opening. rl`he frame 7lmayA be placed in position on the transmitter `by placing it Y,on theshaft'28 and engaging pin'fG in hole 75, which prevents its rotationei;- cept with the shaft 28.v In order to hold it in thisposition, theend of the shaft may be threaded. as at 77 to receive a knnrled nutr 78.This nut is held in its position by a leaf spring 79 bearing against thelznurls llt? Y estates aaa-elf. Wies ne fait@ 7i is initie pcetnia, theSiting-1310er comme te aaa e7 'engage `the Vceiftact ring 41, 'and therelier 'dentaria-S et an@ ce contact `seg'inentis `t5,f\yhich,haye beenbfc ed V50, '51 'aiid 52, u to Z inclusive in g. 5, to4 betteriilustr'ate litli'eir "c'nl'iection with"tlieviespective terminals. Thesprings 'FQ anu 7s ein ifoiiimily urge the eisernen;

tactsp and G7., and the roller contactsf 621e` land 68 respectively,against their 'liXe'd f'conk tacts. rIt Will beV observed that in'onecafse sliding blocl contacts have been employed. If roller contactswere employed in both cases, the contacts might be moved by the`fibrations-of the ship, or by the. impulses of the member as itoscillates between the stops 29 and 30. The tension of the spring 72therefore is such as to create a friction between the sliding blocks 63and 67, and

the fixed contact ring 41 of sufficient value cillate between stops 29and 30,.the limit. of

movement between said stops corresponding to the hunting action of thecompass card. The impulses incident thereto are absorbed by the buffers31 and rotation of the member 27 is prevented by the friction `of con'-tacts 63 and 67. When the compass card moves beyond the limit of thehunting action, such movement is transmitted in the manner indicated,which rotatesmember 27,

fixed on the lshaft 2S.l The rotation of the shaft 28 rotates the frame71, Whichcarries the movable contacts.- From Fig. 2, itfvvill be seenthat the contacts 64 and 68 vare lo cated on a line parallel to a linepassing through the center of rotation` of the frame 71, whereby one ofthe rollers may passfrom one segment 15 to another, While the otherroller remains on one segment. This Will be better understood byreferring to` Fig.' 5, Let it be assumed that the frame 71 is rotatingyanti-clockwise and that roller 68 is linst leaving contact segment52d.v The con tact blocks 63 and 67 continuously engage fixed contact 41connected to main 43;

`The roller 68 now engagescontact 50at and A, A and B, B. Iiithe `neigtposition, the K element.y i

roller 68`ii1'oves inthe lfirst-halfofcoiitact 51@l aiid theroller'1,64f nieves'on` `the second half of 'cont-act 51`jeiiergizingpoles B, 7B of therepeater motor, 5and so on, whereby tivo positions perpole of the repeater in'otei areobtained.` Of course, the iiumber ofpole'softhe repeater motor, and lthe contacts of -andfconnejctions Withthe transmitter may bevariedto meet the particular reqi'iireiri'eiits:It ivill yalso be seen that by thefarvrangement described, I obtainclean Contact 4siifrfares" at` all times, vand `that any dirt ac-kcumulating thereon ivill be ivip'ed 'off the -movingcontacts and maydrop out ofthe transmitter. The frame71 may be readily removed byunscreiving the nut 7S, for the purpose of making adjustments or replacring parts." It will thus be seen that I have provided a rugged,` compactand efficient transmitter to overcome the difficulties referred to.

In accordance With theprovisions of the patent statutes, I have hereindescribed the Y principle of operation of my invention, to-` gether withthe apparatus, Which I nou7 conf sider to represent the best embodimentthereof, but I desire to have it understood that the apparatus shown inonly illustrative and `that the invention can be carried out by othermeans.` Also, While `it is designedtor use they various features andelements in the combination and relations described, some of these maybe altered and othersomitted Without interfering with the `more generalresults outlined, and the invention extends to such use.`

Having herein described my invention `what I claim and desire to secure`by Letters Patent' is,

1. A step by step transmitter forrepeating at a distance the movementsof a sendingV instrument, comprising a plurality of fixed contacts,` arotatablel element, movable f contacts actuated by saidelement, a pairof fixed stops carried by said elementhaving a rectangular cross sectionand located `on `a lin'epassing through'the centerof rotation of saidelement on opposite sides thereof, a

second rotatable element concentric with said firstfeleinent,l a`rectangular member `fixed thereon arrangedv to engage said stops, saidmember being designed to have a predeter- `mined free movement beforeengaging said stops and means for rotating said second 2., A transmittercomprising `a rotatable element, a `plurality of fixed contacts concentrically arranged with respectto said element and adapted to beelectrically con-V nected kto one side of the source of energy, a fixedring contact concentric with saidneley ment connected to the other sideof said source, member actuated by said element having.A arms oppositelyextendingv fromV the center of rotation, a lost motion connection leobetween said memberfand element, a roller` Contact plvotallyvmounted oneachend of saldmember, means urging said rollers into engagement withsaid irstmentioned-con tacts, a sliding contact pivotally mounted oneach end of said member, means 'urgingsaid sliding contacts intoengagement with spaced concentric ring, ay rotatable element cooperatingwith said `contacts andring, ^including aroller contact and a slidingycon,- tactmounted on said elementand adapted to engage said fixedcontacts andA ring, ay lost motion connection *betweenr f said *elementiand its actuating device, and yielding meansy for urging the contacts onsaid clement into engagement with Vsaid ,fixed contacts` and ring." e. ef l testimony whereof I `llave aniXed my signature.r e t CHESTER B.MILLS.

